Early Childhood Tertiary Partnership

Upgrade your Early Childhood Diploma while working with our Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) Hybrid Initiative

Federation University is partnering with the Victorian Department of Education and TAFE providers to deliver a hybrid Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) course, through the Early Childhood Tertiary Partnership program.

Through credits for prior study, diploma-qualified early childhood educators can obtain a three-year Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) in just two years, all while continuing to work in their existing service. After completing the course, graduates will have the option to upgrade to a four-year degree by completing a Graduate Diploma online.

Our Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) (TK5) is delivered through a hybrid model, with students studying full-time while employed at a maximum of 0.6 FTE in their current early childhood service. Click here to apply now.

3+1+1 Buddy Internship Model

Our Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) course is designed as a sustainable and supportive 3+1+1 buddy internship model, which requires students to be employed in an early childhood centre while studying.

Specifically, the 3+1+1 buddy model means that students work in their centre of employment for up to three days a week, attend university classes one day a week, and obtain further practical experience at a separate ‘buddy’ early childhood service one or more days a week (as negotiated and as deemed satisfactory to the employing service and qualification provider).

This innovative initiative enables students to work in and complete their professional placements in their local community or in a community nearby.

It is specifically designed to benefit students living in South Gippsland Shire, East Gippsland Shire, Horsham Rural City, Ballarat City, Casey City or Latrobe City.

The course offers a range of study options, meaning that students can study at the Federation campuses at Mt Helen, Berwick, Churchill and Horsham, or at the study hubs in Bairnsdale and Wonthaggi.

Financial support for students

Students applying for Federation University’s Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) may be eligible for a Department of Education scholarship of $25,000 to complete the Bachelor’s degree over two years and/or $12,000 towards the Graduate Diploma qualification.

There is also financial support for study materials ($1,000 per student) and subsidies for regional and rural students travelling over 1.5 hours to study for one day a week.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students may be eligible for the Department of Education’s Early Childhood Aboriginal Pathway Scholarship (as alternative to Early Childhood scholarship) of $34,000 towards the undergraduate qualification and/or $16,000 towards the graduate diploma qualification.

To find out more about these scholarships, please visit Victorian Government scholarships.

Financial support for employers

The Victorian Skills Authority has identified a need for an additional 1500 workers in the early childhood education sector by 2026. To address this, the Department of Education is providing a subsidy to early childhood services to support pre-service teachers to complete practicum placement requirements.

The subsidy provides funding to services that offer paid leave to their staff during their practicum. This means that the government will fund employees leave for up to 20 days per student per semester, ensuring services face no financial constraints when releasing students for placement.

For more information, please visit the Department of Education website.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the hybrid initiative you must:

  • be a domestic student (Australian or New Zealand citizen, or Australian permanent resident)
  • reside in Victoria and work in an Early Childhood centre for up to three days a week
  • applicants to the Bachelor’s degree are required to hold a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. If you are an applicant without a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, you need complete this qualification at TAFE before applying to complete the Bachelor’s degree over two years. Alternatively, you can enrol in the standard three year delivery of the Bachelor or Education (Early Childhood)

Want to know more?

Contact Associate Professor Anna Fletcher, Director Industry Cooperation, Institute of Education, Arts and Community: a.fletcher@federation.edu.au